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Rapidly swept, ultra-widely-tunable 1060 nm MEMS-VCSELs
V Jayaraman1, G D Cole, M Robertson
1Praevium Research Inc., 5266 Hollister Avenue, Suite 224, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, USA.
Electronics Letters
|March 23, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed novel 1060 nm microelectromechanical-systems-based tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (MEMS-VCSELs). These lasers offer ultra-wide tuning ranges, ideal for advanced medical imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are crucial for various optical applications.
- Achieving wide wavelength tunability in VCSELs, especially in the 1060 nm range, is challenging.
- Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) offer a viable approach for tunable laser devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate novel 1060 nm MEMS-VCSELs with ultra-wide continuous tuning ranges.
- To evaluate the performance of these MEMS-VCSELs under static and dynamic operation.
- To assess the suitability of these lasers for ophthalmic swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of MEMS-VCSELs utilizing a strained InGaAs multiple quantum well active region.
- Integration of a fully oxidized GaAs/AlxOy bottom mirror and a suspended dielectric top mirror.
- Optical pumping of the devices using 850 nm light and characterization of tuning performance.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 100 nm continuous tuning range under repetitively scanned operation (>500 kHz).
- Demonstrated a 90 nm continuous tuning range under static operation.
- These are the first reported MEMS-VCSELs in the 1060 nm wavelength range.
Conclusions:
- The developed MEMS-VCSELs exhibit unprecedented wide tunability at 1060 nm.
- The high-speed tuning capabilities are suitable for dynamic applications.
- These lasers are highly promising for next-generation ophthalmic SS-OCT systems.
